The Best American Short Stories of the Century Setting & Symbolism

Katrina Kenison

This Study Guide consists of approximately 38 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more -
everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Best American Short Stories of the Century.

Yellow Guitarappears in The Hitch-Hikers

It is this yellow guitar that the hitch-hiker is holding that makes Harris decide to offer them a ride. The owner of the guitar is killed by a guy he is traveling with. The guitar is given by Harris to a little colored boy who asked for it after the owner had died of his wounds.

Henry'sappears in The Killers

Henry's is where the two men show up to kill Ole Anderson. Those working and others are held captive here until it becomes obvious that Ole Anderson isn't going to show up. This establishment is called "Henry's lunch-room" (page 68) but later is called "Henry's eating-house" (page 76). The story begins and ends at Henry's.

Bowlappears in Janus

This bowl is a piece of pottery that was bought for a woman by the man she was having an affair with. The woman put the bowl...